The Sucker Con Artist

Ok...so we are not officially potty training Ellis yet. However, we bought him a little potty and he has been successful at it a couple of times. We decided that we were going to take the whole reward route. His reward was going to be a little sucker. Ellis does not eat much sugar as it is-due to all of his allergies....so we thought what the heck! So far this has resutled in a total of 4 suckers over the last 4 months. So we are averaging 1 "poopy in the potty" a month. Well, the other night Ellis decides that he wants a sucker. So he says "mommy...i wanna sucker"... and I tell him "first, poopy in the potty" and "second a sucker". He says "ok"! Ellis runs to the bathroom and starts pulling his pants off. I help him get his diaper off and he looks at me with his big blues and huge smile and says " ok...mommy....sucker time". Of course I reminded him again "Ellis....first you need to poopy in the potty and second you will get a sucker". This dialogue goes on for about a half hour. I leave the bathroom to do something in the living room and he comes out buck naked and says to me "mommy...first a sucker and second..poopy in the potty"! Well, needless to say he never had to go poopy in the potty and somehow he thought that I would miss that important piece. It is amazing even at 2 1/2 years old Ellis is trying to con his Mom out of a sucker.

Fathers Day

We had an awesome Fathers Day. We took Ellis to Clayton Beach off of Chuckanut Drive. Pete had not been there in years. It had been quite the hike down to the beach for Ellis. But he managed quite well and enjoyed the beach. Ellis was quite the climber. He was climbing all over the rocks. He certainly made us a little nervous at times. He is at the age where he thinks he can do anything.
He has been in a big boy bed now for a week. The tranistion was a lot easier then I expected. I thought for sure the moment he realized he could come and go, he would be out of there. But to my amazement, he doesn't get out. When he wakes up, he just sits in his bed waiting for us to show up and get him. Once again he surprises us!!

Away from Home

I was recently away on a trip to Indiana for work. At first I thought it would be a breeze as I was with Koby. I was not prepared for the emptiness I felt at night being away from Ellis. Last year I was gone a lot so I thought it would be no big deal. Sure... I knew I would miss the boy like I had done every time before but this time my heart was aching. I wondered was it because I love him more each day or is it because he is an extension of who I am. I don't have an answer really. But what is different this year is that I have a relationship wtih him. Not like he is a baby and he just needs me for necessity. The dynamics are changing. He is a little boy, with his own thoughts, ideas and oh my does he have a big personality. At first, I found myself even thinking...oh, being away will be a nice break from life". That thought lasted maybe 24 hours. I see myself as an independent person, so it took me by surprise when I was overwhelmed with sadness to not hug him, kiss him and talk with him. He is my life, my love and my joy. Ellis...you are truly one special little miracle. Thank you for being mine!
So while I was away going through so much turmoil missing my boy, he was having a great time with Daddy at Grammi and Grumpies house. Here are a few shots of what they did. Ellis had his first ice cream cone, threw rocks in the water for Buddah and took a boat trip to Langley. He loves to spend time on the beach. It is one of his favorite things to do. And right now, rocks are the coolest things ever.